Special Mandela coins on sale

Johannesburg - Mandela Protea 2007 coins will go on sale for R5 each, the South African Gold Coin Exchange (SAGCE) said on Friday.

The promotion formed part of the opening of its Scoin retail outlets in the Western Cape, the SAGCE said in a statement.

It said the silver R1 coins - worth about R750 each - would be available at this price for one day only at its Western Cape stores.

"On Tuesday, August 18, the first 100 customers to visit the Tyger Valley, Somerset Mall, Canal Walk and Cavendish Square outlets will be able to pick up the coin for a tiny fraction of its normal retail value."

The offer was limited to 100 coins a store and one coin a customer.

SAGCE's executive chairperson Alan Demby said the Mandela Coin was an outstanding long-term investment, given the promising potential of the precious metals markets.

"One does not need to be an expert in finance to know that gold, platinum and silver coins are sound long-term investments during any economic climate.

"We are rewarding our customers with this one-time offer to create awareness of the new stores and to highlight the considerable merit of precious metal coins," he said.